PAM DZAMA | Pot use isn't in the public interest, and other ballot picks

The ballots arrived last week and in addition to electing those who will represent us there are a number of ballot measures which must be decided. The following are my recommendations on those measures.

Is it in the public's best interest to increase marijuana usage? That's the question I asked myself when deciding how to vote on Initiative 502, which would decriminalize limited use of the drug. Would there be support for making cigarette smoking legal if possession of cigarettes were illegal today? Knowing what we know about the health hazards related to smoking, I doubt it. Yet the most common way marijuana is used, like cigarettes, is through smoking and inhaling the substance.

Why is I-502 being proposed today? According to supporters it's to " ... free law enforcement resources to focus on violent crime, provide billions in new revenues for Washington State, take away profits from organized crime and protect our youth."

Medical marijuana possession and use is already legal in Washington State, although the federal government doesn't support that position. Expanding the availability of the drug for recreational use would still be in conflict with federal laws.

How are the proceeds from this drug-tax to be used? In addition to administering the program, information in the Voters' Pamphlet says the state is to spend the money on " ... a survey of youth regarding substance use ... web-based public education materials about health and safety risks posed by marijuana use." The rest of the money would be "distributed as follows: 50 percent for the state basic health plan; 15 percent for programs and practices aimed at prevention or reduction of substance abuse; 10 percent for marijuana education ... and one percent for research on short-term and long-term effects of marijuana use ..."

So Washington voters are being asked to legalize marijuana so that, among other things, the state can spend money surveying kids about drug use, creating educational materials about the "safety risks" associated with the use of the drug we're being asked to legalize and researching the long and short-term effects of this drug's usage.

This is crazy and leads me back to my original question. Is it in the public's interest to legalize and thereby increase the use of marijuana? Considering recreational use of this drug is still in conflict with existing federal laws there's no need to expand the availability of mind-altering drugs. I urge a No vote on I-520.

Initiative 1185 requires that any tax or fee increase must be passed by at least two-thirds of the legislators. This law was adopted in 2010 by 65 percent of Kitsap County voters. Unfortunately the Legislature can suspend initiatives with a simple majority vote two years after they're passed. Legislators need to be reminded the voters were serious when they imposed the two-thirds vote necessary to raise taxes. Please vote Yes on I-1185.

Initiative 1240 allows a limited number of public charter schools to be created. According to the state constitution educating children is the premier responsibility of the state. To fulfill that mandate it's imperative every option is available, including the flexibility provided by a limited number of charter schools. Educating children is the focus, not the current school bureaucracy. Please vote Yes on I-1240.

Referendum 74 seeks to affirm the vote of the Legislature in redefining marriage. Supporters of the referendum define the central issue as one of "fairness." It's only "fair," they say, that we treat all relationships as "equal." The fallacy in this argument is that all relationships are not equal. While men and women are of "equal" value to society, they're not the same. This referendum seeks to make them identical.

Whether you believe in Darwinian evolution or Divine creation, there's a reason men and women are biologically different. A "marriage" between Mary and Jane or Steve and Sam will not be able to create children. They may love and care for each other but the state should formally recognize relationships which have the ability to produce the next generation. Marriage is about more than the bond between two loving people. Please support the traditional institution of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Reject R-74.

I urge a Yes vote on both state constitutional amendments, Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution 8221 and Senate Resolution 8223. ESJR 8221 would gradually reduce the state's debt limit from nine to eight percent and SR 8223 would allow certain specified funds of the University of Washington and Washington State University to be invested in private stocks and bonds.

Watch out for the goblins wandering around the county next Wednesday. And, no matter where you fall along the political spectrum please make sure to cast your vote on or before November 6.